FORMATION PROCESS OF MnBi THIN FILMS BY WILLIAMS' METHOD.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/pssa.2210760107

When Mn and Bi are successively evaporated on a glass substrate followed by prolonged annealing around 300 degree C, a ferromagnetic thin film can be obtained with its c axis perpendicular to the film plane. In order to elucidate the formation process. Rutherford backscattering experiments X-ray diffractometry, electron microscope studies and magnetic measurements were carried out. At the first stage of annealing up to 250 degree C, a non-magnetic transitional compound Mn//1//. //2Bi is formed. During subsequent annealing at 250 degree C, the final crystals with aligned c axes nucleate and grow at the expense of the transitional phase. At the last stage of the reaction, a few Bi crystals remaining in the transitional phase may serve as nuclei.